What we went through wasn't that bad, compared to others

One thing that homeless people worry the least about is travel insurance!

Decades ago I had the chance of meeting some of the Pacific Gardens Shelter residents in Chicago. I learned first hand what someone faces when being 'dropped' into a metropolitan landscape with no means to exist. While I don't discount the validity that this and other places serve a purpose, they should in no way be seen as 'the answer' to America's homeless problems.

Regularly I saw a handful of men leaving out on papertrucks that would come by, opting to hawk newspapers on busy streetcorner intersections in some of the foulest weather. It was a commission based business, and got me enough in a few hours to pay for a $2.00 hamburger at the local Burger King. Not knowing where anything was, I wasn't about to give anyone the idea I had funds on me by asking where a grocer was...even though there was one on the other side of the block.

I kept in that microcosm for about a week and a half, other than the jaunts in and out of it using the local Metra system, all the while aware of the roaming 'gang bangers'...groups of kid gangs...that were known to roll one or two men found alone and off the beaten path.

I came to my senses by the end of two weeks, and walked to the nearest on ramp of the interstate hoping to get to warmer climates and denizens. The point of this entry is that while my family may have had it hard, there are much worse places to be homeless.

Just food for thought. Happy holidays, everyone!

Homeless Family Going To A Hotel Sequence

From it's opening sequence, I felt this would be a pretty true rendering of what a family faces when being placed in a hotel at the City's expense.

Although filmed in Canada, it's very much true to fact of what their counterparts south of the border go through.

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Doublespeak of your government

Wow! Kind of a dry week as opposed to my prior ones with blogging.

I'm still wondering if last week's statement over the potential of a 'cargo container' community by Diane Gilbert of the ESHC was fluff or actually being considered as possible.

What I do know is there's still families in this county who're living in a hotel room not suitable for even two people to stay overnight in. I see regularly these parents taking their children to school by City Bus, rather than having their children picked up and transported...which is Federally protected.

I see parents that are afraid of being identified as 'unfit', fearful of having being reported to Children and Family Services and losing their children.

I see parents who have seen other parents reported for alledged abuse, neglect, drug use...and those children taken immediately into State Custody, based on a service provider's statement. My wife has also heard a Supervisor of these investigators state openly that a trend shows these reports are higher with some providers when compared to their peer agencies.

I see the McKinny-Vento Act state one thing, while what's practice is another. I remember when nobody would post homeless student's rights, except for me...on my family's room door in a shelter. I have seen excuses and arguments made why children have to walk past needles, single homeless men, and dangerous traffic patterns daily...and it's still accepted to this day.

And now there's legal wording trying to make Federal Law now that states people 'doubling up' with family, of people 'couch surfing' with friends, of a number of things identified in the McKinney-Vento Act as 'litmus tests' to determine eligibility of students to receive services...all of those people WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED HOMELESS.

Baloney. We'll end up with one law saying "You can't count them", and another that states "They're countable". But people say I'm a whiner.

The hilarious thing? If I were to be asked to speak on these issues to Congress, it wouldn't help any homeless people. It'd help people that make a living off them.

And that's wrong.

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Product Buzz: Lint B Gone

Lint b gone is one of those items you may have seen on television commercials, in this case it's asking price goes for $12.95 usually.

"TV Products 4 Less" is pushing this for $9.95 though. They've put up space over on Yahoo, and since they're dealing in bulk are able to pass on the saving to readers.

If you've ever thought about getting any of the typical "TV only" deals, check out this product, as well as all the others available there.

Site Review: Cliffside Malibu

Drugs and booze: they can rip your life apart. Locally you might be able to find some form of care, but if you're looking to kill two birds with one stone and turn your rehab into an enjoyable getaway, Cliffside Malibu is the palce to be.

Their drug rehabilitation also goes deeper than most, in attempting to identify the root problems of the addiction. In most cases this is a matter of mental health. It's nice that there's weekly meetings held by two letter acronym associations, but let's face it...memorizing and reciting twelve steps does NOT a broken mind fix.

Product Buzz: Standsandmounts.com

Got a request over the weekend to check out some audio racks. I thought it was interesting they've got rack systems that are up to the expectations of the RIAA.

Ok, I thought it was hilarious really. We've heard tons of stuff about illegal downloading and now I find that there's standards and expectations they've got over construction and use of audio racks based on meeting their guidelines?

You need a loan after getting Page Rank Blitzed?

In defiance of being banned by Google? Hey, don't feel left out and alone! My PR3 I had...that went to a PR2...then to PR4...and finally a PR2?

I've got a PR0 now! And I'm STILL the #1 Search Engine Placement for 'Homeless Family' on a Yahoo Search!

That being said, let's all take a trip over to Quickercashadvance.com since we might be needing a little payday loan since we all got hit!

Make a fire to cook or stay warm outside

This evening while watching the WJCT broadcast I thought about the people without a pillow or blanket, sleeping outside huddled to stay warm...no use for a fire glass.

You see, in Jacksonville it's legal to have fires outside for either warmth or for cooking...but don't take my word for it! Contact the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at (904) 630-0500 yourself. Ask if it's legal to build a fire to eat food outdoors, and if it gets cold if you can build a fire to stay warm.

Remember, they're your rights to exercise. You just didn't know them, that's all.

Homeless Shelter Life Skills They Refuse To Teach

Thanks to Tomit where I caught this from, another Twitterer.

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Homeless Advocates: Get Your Shirts On

Local PBS affiliate WJCT has responded to my email with an invitation to participate as a member of it's audience. No word has been given of how much time the audience will be given, as oppossed to the people that 'armchair quarterback' this meeting in both email and phone calls.

I've had contact with two other advocates over the issue of this forum. Before I gave them my view and perspective, their words were that it was "one sided", "about business and promotion", and "this has nothing to do with why we've still got thousands of people sleeping outdoors".

The picture here leads to where you can purchase your own "Don't Taze Me, Bro!" T-shirt...as well as thong underwear (no, it's not my site but I think it fits the theme here). Unfortunately the hour is too late for them to arrive in time for the forum.

There's always the next one.

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Homelessness Live Broadcast Forum: WJCT Nov 15 8pm

From their site the following information...
First Coast Forum: Homelessness

Thursday, November 15 at 8 pm
Confirmed panelists:
• Terry Lorince, Downtown Vision Executive Director
• Audrey Moran, Sulzbacher Center President
• Ju’coby Pittman, Clara White Mission President
• Diane Gilbert, Jacksonville Homeless Coalition
• Janice Ancrum, Community Connections Associate Director
Audience members can participate in First Coast Forum by emailing questions and comments to firstcoastforum@wjct.org or by calling (904) 358-6347 during the program.

I've contacted them about attending the forum. I don't doubt the intent of this forum, but there isn't anyone representing the homeless community...just the service providers. I don't feel that's right.

If you're a regular reader; or are familiar with me online and know of my advocacy on this issue; please leave a comment on your view for the benefit of WJCT Public Television in case they see this entry.

Should John; or someone else representing homeless people themselves; be part of this public live broadcast forum? Please...comment.

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MyBlogLog: Can't find the server at civrf.yahoo.com.

Hmmm, another buggy night with MyBlogLog's widget as well as member and community pages.

I had a problem with my two sites loading up, actually had some of the avatars load...only to disappear as the page tried to load. Funny.

Also, I just tried to hit my own site...where I serve my own images on my own server. Ironic...they're not coming up either, even though I can access them through FTP clients.

Yep, I just downloaded from my site through FTP! That's ok. I also tried in MSIE. Turns out it's a bad bottleneck on the internet tonight. My personal server is in the UK, while Yahoo is somewhere out on the other Coast, so I'm betting someone's done something like cut a fiber optic or something somewhere in the middle of the United States in the last 20 minutes.

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Product Review: Dog Tags from Quicktrophy.com

A few weeks ago I was asked to review Quicktrophy.com's dog tags. Pictured to the right is what I got in the mail just the other day.

Placing the order was pretty easy, compared to some sites specializing in customized gifts. Since I'm going with creating a music blog on Lifeonwards.com, I chose to go with a clef note.

The dog tag was marked appropriately, came with the swivel chain, and was sealed in plastic keeping the tag seperate from the chain to avoid scratching damage during shipping.

Adding your message is easy too, and there's enough space to add your own personal touch. Mine was:

John tagged me, so

I keep this close!
lifeonwards.com

Just remember to show the love as much as possible in your online business.

Things that they say just don't make it right!

Fracas quotes contemporary poetry.

Christy's colorblind. She never listened to me about mine. Nuts to her.

Roger claims he's touched the tasty parts of Bigfoot.

Gabby makes something for someone, but can't show something til someone shows it first. I'd show her mine if she showed me hers first. Promise!

Liz is fantasizin' about quality time on a deserted island with you. Go ahead...it can't be any stranger than what I plan for my time with her playin' Literati with our backs to each other.

Sara, Koreans, bars, sex...and now existential thoughts of Cell Phones. The girl needs you. Be there for her.

Sam about Ubuntu Live. Kids...they're so cute sometimes.

Jill...you remember Jill...she used to grace me so long ago with her swimsuits here on the blog...I'm saving her last for least. Apparently she's got a 'manthing' going on...whatever, I don't want excuses or stories of camp, multipurpose tools...just swimsuit shots!

Remember, if you visit these sites you'll possibly get STDs, cooties, and other stuff you were warned about in fifth grade.

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My Blogroll

I had a talk with one of my readers who's having a problem with spiders. His site runs on a limited bandwidth, and he's getting it sucked up by search engine spiders.

Most of the problem is the sites that link to him are doing so from EVERY page, instead of just one. That being said, I'm moving all my blogrolls to their own page or entry.

Feel the love.

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Cell Phone Illumination Night, Nov 13th, Venice Beach

In honor of Homeless Youth Awareness Month, there will be a special Cell Phone Illumination ight on Tuesday, November 13th to help raise awareness about youth homelessness.

The event will bring participants together in Venice Beach, at Rose Ave and the Boardwalk where they will raise their open/lit-up cell phones at exactly 7:13PM in recognition of the 13 homeless and runaway youth who lose their lives on our country’s streets everyday. The Cell Phone Illumination Night will be happening at the same time all across the country in other STANDUP FOR KIDS chapter cities.

The Cell Phone Illumination Night is also part of the STANDUP FOR KIDS “Calling An End To Youth Homelessness” campaign - the national awareness and fundraising effort based on a partnership with ReCelluar, Inc. - whereby used cell phones and cell phone accessories are collected to generate funds for the organization and relay the need the call an end to youth homelessness. The Cell Phone Illumination Night is open to anyone who wishes to participate.

StandUp For Kids is a not-for-profit, volunteer driven organization whose mission is to “help rescue homeless and at-risk youth”. Founded in 1990 in San Diego, California, StandUp now has over thirty-five local outreach programs in twenty states. To learn more – visit www.standupforkids.org.

Recellular, based in Dexter, Michigan, is a global leader in the used cellular phones industry, providing solutions for the collection, reuse and recycling of mobile phones and personal electronics. To learn more about ReCellular, Inc. – visit www.recellular.com.

For more information on this benefit or the “Calling an End to Youth Homelessness Campaign” contact losangeles@standupforkids.org.

Video Blog Update

Another choice one for thoughtful thoughts is up over at Life Onwards Videos. This one's pretty intense.

If you're prone to 'triggers', I don't recommend it.

It's pretty deep.

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Back from the StandUp-A-Thon

Keith Sanders, Michael Gallant, Matt Tundermann and myself

This afternoon I had the chance of looking these three other goons in the eye, up close, and personal from StandUp For Kids at today's StandUp-a-thon. Keith's the national guy, Michael's the Florida man, and Matt's the local yocal. When I cover something, I cover all the bases.

Matt did a great job emceeing the show, running all around the entire time...between introductions of performers he'd head over to his table and then off to someone else that he wanted to check in on.

The show offered break dancers, 'tribal dancers' (I liked them the best, cause I felt like I was watchin' Indian belly dancers), and some folks doing old fashioned classical dancing.

Unfortunately there wasn't much turnout of any of the agencies serving the homeless seen here to support it, including the much awaited appearance of Glorious Johnson. The Jacksonville Council...woman, person, or whatever...was never spotted after having agreed to not only stop in, but to speak to the crowd from the podium.

Too bad, she and the rest of the people being the first to ask for participation at 'their' events missed out. Somehow it worked out for the best though...for me.

...because I was asked if I wanted to...ooops! Almost let the cat out of the bag!

I'll just say that by the time I got home, there was an email in my box and it has something to do with the new widget on the side here, as well as the one being sported at Homeless In Jax.

If I didn't have good bladder control, I'd pee myself right NOW!

My younger daughter accompanied me to the event, and we had a great time during and after. Took a boat taxi across the St. Johns River, had a light lunch of Bourbon Chicken, and while leaving grabbed a few ice cream waffle cones. Hers was Cotton Candy and mine was Cookie Dough.

I finished mine before her. Nyah!

The only thing I need to do now is get an elliptical, so I can work on blog entries and be able to show a hot stomach in my pictures.

Bloggers With Integrity Award for For Social Conscience

Shinade gave me this award a little over a week ago, and here it is for you to see.

I don't know that what I blog or write about is having Social Conscience, but if being a stubborn jerk when someone's being a stubborn jerk for no good reason is that...then I guess I am.

I'm confused now, she uses big words. Click on the pic, and see who else got this. As for me, I'm giving to the following: Everyone in my sidebar link roll, cause I don't blogroll no crap here!

13th Juror
An Indelicate Matter
Auntie Dar's Life
Bill Blunt
Caveman Ogre
Chris Cree
Christy's Coffeebreak
Cindy Yen
Daddy Papersurfer
diary of a 70s teen
Ecossaise
fracas
Gabrielle Faust
Harry McFry
Idaho Daily Photo
Ipso Facto
Jeffrey
John's Blog
Lady Rose
laketrees
Liz Strauss
More Doubts
My Style
Ocean Guy
Old Timer Speaks Out
Owen Holmes
Oz
papelustro
Paula
Penfold
Roadside Scholar
Saradevil
Shinade
Spurious Ink
Sylvie
Taosbound
The Pisstakers
Troy Worman
Twipply Skwood
Urban Jacksonville
Wacky Mom

Everyone stop and give yourself a great big hand. Now drop and give me one for the 82d!

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Golden Corral: Military Appreciation Monday, November 12th, 2007

If you've served in the United States Military, Golden Corral offers a place at the table.

For the past 6 years, Golden Corral has been honoring the US Military with a free “thank you” dinner and beverage at any Golden Corral restaurant on Military Appreciation Monday (first Monday after Veteran’s Day).

This year, Golden Corral has designated Monday, November 12, 2007, from 5 to 9 pm, to honor any person who has ever served in the United States Military.

If you know a veteran, let them know. If you know of a place veterans congregate, please consider printing this; or Golden Corral's page; for their benefit.

Thank you.

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Ignore the NAACP

The NAACP is an organization that promotes racism through reverse discrimination against local community residents not of their color.

If they wish to be considered or heard as leaders and peers in our communities, then they need to address the fact it's time to change their name.

Using guilt trips is a sign of control. Claiming one race is of more importance or promoting growth of one race in particular is racism.

• Show your support by placing this graphic link anywhere using the below code.
• Use businesses that DON'T promote one race as opposed to another.
• Don't give in.

Being of a race isn't a problem. Ignorance is. Discriminating against others because of race is a crime.

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It's 1:00AM EST, What Are Your Kids Watching?

Seven years ago a friend of mine gave me a few copies of music from the Union Underground, with the pictured cover art of what looked like a young child from a zombie movie.

Harsh, in your face, and one of those groups kids listen to.

NOTE: If you're offended by foul lyrics, I don't recommend watching this video.

Chances are most parents haven't ever heard this music, let alone the video. Here's your chance...if you dare. Luckily, my kid's are into rap. I'm not sure which is the lesser evil sometimes.

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School principals hate me as much as service providers

Local News - Bathroom Sex Sting Nets Daytona Beach Teacher & Former Commissioner

It's always funny...they're such good upstanding people, the first the local boards back up. Maybe I have a twisted sense of humor.

When I first began advocating for families, it always struck me as really strange how I'd get a number of 'red flags' popping up in my mind when meeting some people. Over the last three years most of those have left the ranks, either through attrition or being caught up openly in their game playing.

The fact is unless you have solid proof and evidence against someone, nobody will take you seriously. In most cases when even having 'the dirt', it's necessary to take it 'outside the circle' for anything to be done. Many people would rather keep quiet rather than disturb 'the machine'.

That makes me feel so bad for the principal who'll have to find someone to fill a recent job opening.

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Mac & Cheese, Spam, and Working With Toys

A long rested day and I'm back in the kitchen making macaroni and cheese for tomorrow. Seeing as how I can't give everyone reading this blog a slice by mail, I figured I'd give a slice in the sidebar you cold lick on your monitor locally.

Yeah, I'm the giver.

This last week's been pretty much a dry one, with having to redo a few things with a computer crash the week prior. I ended up forgetting one of my primary email addresses, and just had to go through the following just from it. That...is a LOT of mail!

Then there was the video editting, the audio sampling, and a bunch of stuff I'm trying to get good at for some things I want to do with the blogs...videoblogging.

The difference is I want these to be professional looking. While much of what I get and work with is freely open source, many of the little things involved do cost money. Bad time of year for that, so I'm putting it off until after the first.

So many things, so little time.

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My site partners with a National Non Profit

A few months ago I first got in contact with a guy who was doing outreach with street kids here in Jacksonville. I didn't make too much of a deal about it on the blog, since there's obvious problems in making the habits of teenagers known to some of the people you meet online.

StandUp For Kids is displaying my site banner as a local supporter in Jacksonville, while I maintain a pressence for them on Homeless In Jax as well.

Cool! Click on their pic and you'll see the page.

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